When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Achilles RS-116 2009 and the Achilles SGX-122 2011 are inflatable non rigid designs with inflatable construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Achilles RS-116 2009 at 11,5 ft versus Achilles SGX-122 2011 at 12,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Achilles SGX-122 2011 tips the scales at 188 lbs — 113 lbs less than the Achilles RS-116 2009 at 75 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The Achilles SGX-122 2011 tops out at 35 hp. Engine specs for the Achilles RS-116 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Achilles RS-116 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Achilles SGX-122 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Achilles RS-116 2009 could be the deciding factor.
The Achilles SGX-122 2011 is an inflatable design — lighter, easier to store, and quicker to launch from a beach or dock without a slipway. The Achilles RS-116 2009 is a rigid hull, which typically offers a more confident ride in chop and easier maintenance over the long term.
Bottom line: Choose the Achilles RS-116 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 11,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Achilles SGX-122 2011 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.